Sermon Reflection James 1:22-25

Discovery:

In v. 22, James speaks of the importance of applying the word into our lives: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says." In vv. 23-24, James gives a very helpful word picture of what is looks like to just hear and not apply the word: "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." He caps it off in v. 25 by spelling out what it looks like to truly focus ones life on the word of God (perfect law): "But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do."

Application:

There is a very strong warning in v. 22 about deception. James states that if one only listens to the word and does not practice it, they are deceiving themselves. The nature of this deception ranges from ignorance to down out hypocrisy. Either way, James clearly lays out what it means to be a person devoted to the Jesus (the Word). We can see this is v. 25.

"...looks intently into the perfect law..." Are we looking intently in the word of God everyday? Is our life marked by this sort of devotion and dedication? Clearly this is the first and obviously step in being devoted to the word.

"...and continues in it..." Devotion is marked by consistency and discipline. Looking to the word is not something we do in our times of difficulty but is a mark of a mature believer. Consistency and discipline... like anything worth pursuing in life, these two things need to be hallmarks of our faith.

"...not forgetting what they heard..." Remembering things is hard to do. As I get older, I realize how much harder it is to remember simple things like phone numbers and house addresses. Have you tried memorizing a bible verse recently? For whatever reason it is really hard to do. James analogy in vv. 23-24 are very applicable here. You can read and memorize a verse but immediately upon turning away from the bible, you totally forget what it says. How much more is this true in regards to our devotional life. We are convicted by something we read in the bible but immediately forget about it the moment we get on with our "real life."

"...but doing it..." The old adage is true... "practice makes perfect." The word needs to be internalized and exercised for it to be real and genuine in our lives. Like any skill or talent, we still need to put our faith into practice for it to grow and develop into what God desires it to be.

Prayer: Lord help me both "practice" as well as "profess" my faith. Lead me away from the trap of deception and lead me to a place of humility each and every day. Help my life reflect the words of my favorite hymn... "I need thee every hour..."

Sermon Reflection James 1:19-21

Discovery: James states in v. 19: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." The rhythm of life for a believer needs to be marked by these three things: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

Application:

Quick to listen: Simply put we need to listen to God. In the preceding verse, James speaks of the "word of truth." This word of truth is God's Word and it tells us the truth of God. It displaces the "moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent" as stated in v. 21. By listening to the Word of God and by listening to those who speak it over us (either through preaching or wise counsel), we learn that being a "quick listener" means being quick to hold to to the truth and to let go of sin.

Slow to speak: Simply put we need to put on a "filter" before we speak. Too often we speak from our flesh or opinions and not from a place of truth and love. This goes hand in hand with the first exhortation to to "quick to listen." We need to think before we speak. Does what I have to say build up this person? Does what I have to say bear good witness for Christ?

Slow to anger: v. 20 states, "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." The latter part of this verse is a translation from two Greek words: God's righteousness. The contrast is a stark one between human anger and God's righteousness. You cannot hold on to both. You have to choose.

I realize that it is really easy to get this application flipped around. I tend to be slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to anger. It is a rather simple and constant reminder that if I don't start each day in the Word of God, I can get the rhythm of discipleship life completely backwards.

Prayer: Lord, be with all the youth that will be going to the retreat this weekend. Help all the counselors connect with the kids in our small groups. Help us remain safe and healthy during this trip and please let there be no "drama!"

Sermon Reflection James 1:12-18

Discovery: There is a transition that we find from vv. 12-13. James speaks of "trials" in v. 12 and then "temptations" in v. 13. Both have come from the same root word. Scholars argue whether or not they should be translated differently but it is clear that there are different implications for these two words in our text today.

I think the IVP commentary on these verses stated it best in these simple but helpful diagrams.

Trial --> Testing --> Perseverance --> Maturity.

(This is the dynamic that we see in the verses leading up to v. 12)

Trial --> Temptation --> Sin --> Death.

(This is the dynamic we see in vv. 13-15)

The difference in the two diagrams is found in the second step. How do we respond to the trials in our lives? Do we receive them as times of testing/refining or do we respond by giving into temptation?

Application: As trials come up in my life, I find it incredible hard to "press into" them and see them as opportunities to trust God. My natural instinct is to run away or seek some sort of easy way out. In fact, one of the easiest ways to deal with trials in life is to try to "ignore" them and hope that they go away. But as many of us can attest, it doesn't work that way.

I gave this message to some of our Adults during our snow trip. I challenged them to think about some of these applications.

Attitude Check: What is my attitude like in the midst of the trials of my life? Am I exhibiting the "joy of the Lord" even when things aren't going my way? My vision for my life is simply this: WHAT I do is secondary to HOW I do it. This requires me swallowing my pride and ego and learning to be humble. I am constantly telling myself to take each day one day at a time and to treat every interaction, decision, and relationship with the gravity that it deserves.

Posture Check: Do trials lead me to trust God more or do I try to seek an easy way out? The imagery is simple that of "open" or "closed" hands. Will I receive trials (open) or will I do things on my own (closed)?

Heart Check: One key verse found in this passage is v. 17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Do I believe that God is for me and not against me? Do I see the trials of my life as part of God's good and perfect gifts to me? Will I learn to trust Him and believe that good things can and will come out of the trails of my life?

Prayer: Lord, you know that January was a rough month for me. I feel like I barely made it through it spiritually. I don't know if I persevered or simply survived but I know that February is a new month and I am so grateful for your mercies that are new every morning. Keep me in Your grace and sustain me in my highs and lows. Thank you so much for a much needed "retreat" this weekend and thank you for the blessing of my Church Family.